I recently mentioned that I was working on a SQL tutorial video series based on my best-selling Sams Teach Yourself SQL books (and their spin-offs). Well, the videos are now online, close to 3 hours of yours truly walking you through getting started with SQL. The lessons are based on the flow and format of the SQL books, even using the same examples and sample data, and are designed to be used in conjunction with the books if so desired. The videos are on Safari Books Online and InformIT and other streaming sites.

It's been sixteen years since the publication of my first book on SQL, Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes. That book was met with such positive feedback that it has been updated three times, has spawned several DBMS-specific spin-off titles, has been translated more than a dozen times, and is part of the curriculum in numerous schools and colleges the world over. In all of its various flavors and iterations, this little book has helped hundreds of thousands learn the basics of SQL. And along the way it has become the best-selling SQL book of all time, a fact that is both incredibly humbling and a source of great pride.

I mentioned the DBMS-specific spin-off titles, thus far for Microsoft SQL Server T-SQL, MySQL, and MariaDB. Well, the (much delayed) 4th is on the way. Earlier today I finished reviewing the manuscript for an edition focused on Oracle PL/SQL (covering Oracle 10, 11, 12, and XE). The book page says it's out of print, but that's just because it's not yet shipping. It is available for pre-order, and I'll post a note when I have a final publication date.

Oh and I'm not done yet. I'm also wrapping a SQL video series, and I'll post more on that when I have a link to share.

One of Adobe's employee benefits is the sabbatical, four to six (depending on years of employment) paid weeks off every five years to "to relax, recharge and reenergize" (as per the program description). So, if this blog goes dark (or just darker) for the next six weeks, know that I've not abandoned you, I'm just really busy relaxing, recharging, and reenergizing.